The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has expressed significant concerns regarding the Enhanced Games, which could encourage young athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs. This warning arrives just before the controversial $50 million event set to take place in Las Vegas on Sunday.

The Enhanced Games allows competitors to take banned substances, offering substantial prizes for breaking world records. These games feature notable athletes, including US sprinter Fred Kerley, British swimmer Ben Proud, and Australian swimmer James Magnussen. The organizers tout the event as “the future of sports and human performance.”

However, WADA firmly opposes the concept, stating it contradicts their mission. A spokesperson articulated that the event uses elite athletes to promote the use of banned drugs and anti-aging products, which could mislead audiences, particularly the youth, about the risks involved.

Key concerns from WADA include:

• Promotion of Performance-Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) could lead to increased usage among young people.
• Just because substances are FDA-approved does not equate to them being safe for use in sports.
• Potential serious health risks associated with drugs like testosterone, EPO, and human growth hormone, including heart issues, diabetes, and infertility.

WADA also highlighted the dangers of “stacking” multiple drugs to enhance performance, a practice acknowledged by athletes like Canadian strongman Mitchell Hooper. They stressed that the long-term effects of such combinations remain largely unknown, raising further alarms about the implications of the Enhanced Games.